Inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure for compressing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A composite inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure to be connected to apparatus for compressing air or gas includes at least one compartment lined with sound absorbing material having an inlet passage for the air or gas to be compressed with which a single or multi-stage filter coacts, an outlet passage which communicates with the suction inlet of the compressor in the compressing apparatus, and a by-pass conduit for delivering compressed air or gas from the compressing apparatus for recycling the same through the chamber and the outlet passage back to the compressor. The chamber in addition to said sound absorbing material having means therein for both suppressing or silencing the air or gas flowing from the inlet through the chamber to the compressor or from the by-pass and blow-off system through the chamber to the compressor. The enclosure further provided with simple access means for replacement of the filter elements. Additionally, the combination of the enclosure above described with an enclosure for housing all compressor control system components, meters, etc.

United States Patent 1191 Kilbane et al.

1 51 May 29,1973

[54] INLET, FILTER AND NOISE SUPPRESSOR ENCLOSURE FOR COMPRESSING APPARATUS [22] Filed: Apr. 20, 1972 [21] Appl.No.: 245,718

[52] US. Cl. ..417/279, 55/276, 55/338, 55/467, 62/196, l8l/33 K, 181/36 R,

-' 4l7/3l2,4l7/313 [51] Int. Cl ..F04b 49/02 I [58] Field of Search ..55/276, 338, 467-473;

415/199 A, 178, 179, 119; 181/35 A, 56, 36 C, 36 R, 33 K; 62/196; 417/279, 313, 312

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 467,194 6/1937 Great Britain ..55/276 993,773 6/1965 Great Britain 1,448,873 7/1966 France ..55/472 Primary Examiner-Bemard Nozick Attorney-Norman N. Popper, John N. Bain, Daniel H. Bobis et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A composite inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure to be connected to apparatus for compressing air or gas includes at least one compartment lined with sound absorbing material having an inlet passage for the air or gas to be compressed with which a single or multi-stage filter coacts, an outlet passage which communicates with the suction inlet of the compressor in the compressing apparatus, and a by-pass conduit for delivering compressed air or gas from the compressing apparatus for recycling the same through the chamber and the outlet passage back to the compressor. The chamber -in addition to said sound absorbing material having means therein for both suppressing or silencing the air or gas flowing from the inlet through the chamber to the compressor or from the by-pass and blow-off system through the chamber to the compressor. The enclosure further provided with simple access means for replacement of the filter elements.

Additionally, the combination of the enclosure above described with an enclosure for housing all compressor control system components, meters, etc.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures INLET, FILTER AND NOISE SUPPRESSOR ENCLOSURE FOR COMPRESSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Large multi-stage compressors assemblies are known as is shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,476,485 and 3,001,692.

These systems utilize inlet conduits or pipes for delivering air or gas to be compressed and blow-off conduits or piping for recycling compressed air or gas back to I the suction inlet of the compressor during idling or unloaded conditions of operation which conduits include suitable filter and noise suppressing devices.

Such arrangements require the field installation of the respective conduits or piping and connecting piping as well as the attachment of the separate filters and silencers and noise suppressing devices associated therewith.

In the enclosures of the present invention, a compact arrangement is provided which includes a single compartment in the form of a sound absorbing chamber which is easily adapted to perform two functions, namely, the filtering and silencing of inlet air to be de livered to the suction inlet of the compressor as well as the silencing of the compressed or by-pass or blow-off air delivered from the compressor or returned to the suction inlet when the compressor is idling or unloaded.

The construction as herein disclosed avoids field installation of the separate inlet piping and blow-off piping. Further, the close proximity of the sound absorbing chamber of the enclosure to the compressing apparatus avoids sound emissions which inherently results from the connecting piping normally utilized with the prior art systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its simpliest form, the present invention covers an inlet filter, and noise suppressing enclosure for a compressing system including at least one compartment lined with sound absorbing material, said compartment having an inlet opening in communication with air or gas to be compressed and a discharge outlet for delivering said air to the compression system, filter means operatively associated with the inlet opening, by-pass means operatively connected to the compartment for delivering compressed air or gas by-passed from the compressor to the compartment for recycling through the compartment and its discharge outlet back to the compression system, and means to suppress noises and transmission of noises in the air or gas entering the compartment and passing to the discharge outlet.

These and other objects are novel features of the present invention and will be more clearly and fully set forth in the detailed description of various forms of the invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view showing the invention as applied to a composite multi-stage centrifugal compressor and multi-cooler housing assembly.

FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view from the driving end of the assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the form of inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure shown in FIG. 1, partly in vertical section.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure shown in FIG. 3 taken at line 44 and broken away partly in vertical section.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the blowoff pipe and blow-off muffler.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross section taken on line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragment of the composite multi-stage centrifugal compressor and multi-cooler housing assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a combined inlet, filter, noise suppressor and control enclosure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the combined inlet, filter, noise suppressor and control enclosure shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of combined air inlet, filter, noise suppressor and control enclosure of FIG. 3 partly in vertical section.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 10 partly in horizontal section.

FIG. 12 is a vertical section taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showing the blow-off chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings a composite multi-stage centrifugal compressor and multi-cooler housing assembly is shown as including a multi-stage in line centrifugal compressor generally designated 1 connected through a compound epicyclic gear train section generally designated 2 to the shaft of a suitable driving means generally designated 4.

The compressor 1 is shown as receiving air or other gas to be compressed through one form of inlet, filter and noise suppressor assembly generally designated 6 in accordance with the present invention to be more fully described hereinafter. The air or other gas will pass through the inlet, filter and noise suppressor assembly 6 to the compressor 1 and is compressed in the compressor through a plurality of compression stages, passed through a plurality of intercoolers and an end cooler in multi-cooler 7 and the compressed air or gas is discharged through a discharge line 8 to any desired use.

Compressor l with is associate compound epicyclic gearing and driving means connected at one end and the inlet, filter and noise suppressor assembly 6 connected to the other end are respectively mounted on top of the multi-cooler 7. Thus, multi-cooler 7 serves both as a base for the composite assembly and includes means particularly arranged to coact with the compressor for the interstage cooling of the air or gases being compressed from stage to stage in the compressor and for the conditioning of the air or gas being delivered from the compressor. This arrangement and assembly is described in detail in co-pending US. application Ser. No. 245,578 filed Apr. 19, 1972.

As shown in FIGS. 1a and 2 the discharge line 8 is provided with a by-pass line 10 which communicates with the air inlet, filter and noise suppressor assembly 6 so that compressed by-pass or blow off air or gas can be recycled back to the suction inlet of the compressor. An enclosure 11 is provided below the assembly 6 to house and protect the controls for operating the composite compressor system above described and for the various gauges which show the conditions of such operation.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show that the inlet, filter and noise suppressor assembly 6 includes a generally box-like housing 12 defining a combined inlet and by-pass chamber 13 for air or gas to be compressed and for compressed air or gas being recycled when the compression is idling or unloaded. In the upper portion of housing 12, a filter chamber 14 is formed which has an opening at 15 in communication with the combined inlet and by-pass chamber 13. The opening 15 has channels or brackets as at 16 for removably moutning a filter element 17.

The filter element 17 may be any type of single or multi-layers designs. Various types of filter units for this purpose are known and easily purchaseable on the open market and therefor filter element 17 will not be fully described herein.

The walls and a removable cover 18 of the box-like housing will be made so as to suppress the propogation of noises by having any suitable type of sound absorbing material 19 attached as by an adhesive so as to line the entire interior of chambers 13 and 14. Additionally, suitable gaskets as at 20 and suitable fasteners 21 will be provided between the removable door 18 and the associate side of housing 12 to provide a substantially air tight enclosure free of noise between the contacting parts.

Similarly gaskets as at 22 in the channels 16 will be of a material which will act to hold the filter element 17 in snug engagement when it is mounted on the channels 16.

The transmission pipe 23 from the source of air or gas to be compressed is connected to the housing 12 so as to deliver the air or gas to be compressed to the filter chamber 14. This air or gas therefor'will be filtered as it passes through filter 17 into the chamber 13.

The chamber 13 in turn communicates through the connecting pipe 24 to the cone inlet 25 on the compressor 1 defining a portion of the suction inlet (not shown) of the first stage of compression for the compressor as is more fully described in said co-pending application ser. no. 245,718.

The by-pass conduit 10 communicates with the combined inlet and by-pass chamber 13 so that air or gas by-passed from the discharged outlet 8 will be delivered through the connecting conduit 24 to the suction inlet of the compressor 1.

In order to provide additional means for silencing or suppressing the noises normally generated by the movement of air or gas through the blow-off or by-pass line 10, a blow off muffler 30 is connected in the housing 12. Muffler 30 includes an elongated gated body 31 which has a tapered section 32. Tapered section 32 extends from the housing 12 for connection with the blow off or by-pass conduit 10 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and of the drawings. I

The elongated body 31 of muffler 30 forms a chamber or cavity which is divided transversely by a pair of spaced plates as at 34 and 35 having a multiplicity of orifices as at 36 in plate 34 and 37 in plate 35. On one side of the spaced plates 34 and 35 a passage 38, is formed in the tapered section 32. Passage 38 has an inlet as at 33 adjacent the point of connection with the blow-off or by-pass conduit and thus will pass blow off air or gas to the multi-orifice plates 34 and 35. The space in body 31 on the side of the spaced plates 34 and 35 opposite from passage 37 forms a muffling cavity 39. Air passing through the orifices 36 and 37 is collected in the muffling cavity 39, and then passes through a plurality of orifices 40 in that portion of the elongated body 31 which forms the muffling cavity 39. An end wall 41 closes the muffling cavity 39.

The elongated body 31 may be perforated over only a part of the portion which forms the muffling cavity 39 or may be perforated in patterns as may best accomplish the desired function of abating and silencing noises generated by the compressed by-pass air or gas when the compressor is idling or operating at unloaded conditions.

Thus, a simple single chambered enclosure has been described in accordance with the present invention which acts to silence or suppress the noises propogated by the flow of air or gas from the inlet to thesuction of the compressing system and the compressed air or gas by-passed from the discharge back to the suction inlet of the compressor throughthe single chambered enclosure.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show that the inlet filter and noise suppressor assembly 6 is disposed above and in close proximity to the control enclosure 1 1 and thus it serves to protect the control enclosure in assembled position. The control enclosure 11 is provided with an instrument and control panel as at 42 and a removable door as at 43.

The removable cover 18 permits easy access to the filter element 17 in the housing 12 for replacement thereof and the removable door 43 permits easy access to the controls and instruments mounted in enclosure 11, for their repair, maintenance and replacement as may be necessary.

COMBINED INLET, FILTER, NOISE SUPPRESSOR AND CONTROL ENCLOSURE In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 the inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure 6 and the enclosure 11 for controls, meters etc are shown as substantially independent ele ments in close association with each other.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show a composite inlet, filter noise suppressor and control enclosure.

The composite enclosure generally designated 50 comprises an elongated body which may be made of any suitable material such as fiberglass. The body has a single facing portion 51 and is sufficient depth as indicated by the outer side walls 52 and 53 to provide adequate room for a lower housing 54 which forms a control enclosure 54a to house the necessary controls, me-

ters, etc., and an upper housing section 55 which forms an outer inlet chamber 55a for air or gas to be compressed.

The outer inlet chamber 55a is disposed above the control enclosure 54 and in instrument panel space 56 is formed between the inner side walls 57 and 58, the sloping bottom 59 of a removable or hinged door 60 which provides access to the interior of the outer inlet chamber 55 and the sloping face of the instrument panel 61 for the control enclosure 54a so that the instrument panel 61 may be easily viewed by the operator of the associated compressing system and is sheltered, protected and the controls, instruments, meters, etc. maintained in a weather-proof enclosure.

The control enclosures 54 is also provided with an access door 62 for repairs and maintainence of controls, meters, gauges, etc. and replacement of these parts.

A box-like back housing 63 is affixed to the upper housing 55 of the enclosure forming the outer inlet chamber 55a and this member defines a combined inner inlet and by-pass chamber 55b which is separated from the outer inlet chamber 550 by a partition 64. Partition 64 has an opening as at 65 so that air or gas to be compressed which is delivered by transmission pipe or conduit 66 to the outer inlet chamber 55a can pass from outer inlet chamber 55a to the combined inner inlet and by-pass chamber 55a. All of which is already shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 of the drawings.

FIGS. 1-0, 11 and 12 further show that a filter namely frame 67 is connected to the partition 64 about the opening 65 so that a filter element 67 can be removably mounted on the frame 66 by a removable filter cover 68. The removable filter cover 68 is disposed in the outer inlet chamber 55a so that it can be easily reached for replacement of the filter 67 through the removable door 60 on the upper housing 55.

The chamber 55b has a connecting conduit 70 which passes air or gas from the chamber 55b to the suction inlet (not shown) of the associate compressor in the same manner above described for the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Communicating with the combined inlet and by-pass chamber 55b is the outlet end of a blow off pipe 71 which by-passes compressed air or gas from the associated compressor back through chamber 55b to the suction inlet of the compressor when the compressor is unloaded.

The chamber 55b will be fully lined with any suitable sound insulating material as at 72 and a muffler means such as the baffle 322 may be provided or a muffler similar to muffler shown and described above for the form of the invention shown at FIGS. 3, 4 and S may also be utilized.

The blow off pipe may also enter a separate blow off chamber as at 73 shown in FIG. 12 which will have suitably perforated openings as at 74 to pass compressed by-passed air or gas to the chamber 55b for recycling back through connecting conduit 70 to the associated compressor.

The composite assembly 50 is also shaped to slope at the upper or top section at the side section and the lower sections to improve the appearance and ornamental effect thereof.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 of the drawings a more elaborate enclosure is disclosed then that shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings. However, the element of both enclosures which is common to those respective designs is the single sound absorbing chamber for silencing and suppressing noises generated by the flow of air through the transmitting means from the source through the inlet to the suction inlet of the compressing system and from the discharge through the by-pass means back to the same suction inlet.

The close proximity in each form of the invention of this sound absorbing chamber to its associated compressor avoids the inherent sound emission which occurs in the inlet and blow off piping of the prior art devices.

What is claimed is:

1. An inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure for a compressing system including, a compressor having a suction inlet and a discharge outlet comprising,

housing means forming a chamber having sound absorbing means lining the chamber,

said chamber having an inlet for air or gas to be compressed and an outlet connected to the suction inlet for the compressor,

filter means in the chamber in communication with said inlet to filter air and gas to be compressed entering through said inlet to the chamber,

and by-pass means connected to said housing and in communication with said chamber and connected to the discharge outlet of the compressor for passing compressed air or gas from the discharge of said compressor back through the chamber for recycling the same back to the inlet of said compressor.

2. In an inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure as claimed in claim 1, including muffler means in said chamber to silence air passed thereto and through said chamber to the suction inlet of the compressor.

3. In an inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure as claimed in claim 1 including,

a muffler,

said muffler having its inlet connected to the by-pass means and disposed to extend into and to pass bypassed compressed air or gas into the chamber.

4. In an inlet, filter and noise suppressor as claimed in claim 3 when the muffler is an elongated member including,

a relatively small inlet opening in communication with the compressed air or gas discharged through the by-pass means,

a muffling chamber spaced from said inlet,

transverse convoluted passage means disposed between the inlet and the muffling chamber,

and outlet means for the muffling chamber to pass by-passed compressed air or gas to the chamber.

5. A composite filter, noise suppressor and control enclosure for a compressing system including,a compressor having a suction inlet and a discharge outlet comprising,

housing means having an upper section and a lower section disposed in spaced relation to each other to provide an instrument panel section therebetween,

said upper section forming an inlet space having a partition dividing said inlet space into an outer inlet chamber and an inner inlet and by-pass chamber,

said partition having an opening to provide communication between said outer inlet chamber and said inner inlet and by-pass chamber,

filter means connected to said partition and disposed in said opening whereby air or gas delivered from any suitable source to said outer inlet chamber will be filtered as it passes to said inner inlet and bypass chamber,

said inner inlet and by-pass chamber having a discharge outlet communicating with the suction inlet of the compressor,

sound absorbing means lining said inner inlet and bypass chamber,

and by-pass means connected between the discharge outlet of said compressor and the upper section of the housing means for communication with said inner inlet and by-pass chamber to by pass compressed air or gas from the discharge outlet of said compressor to said inner inlet and by-pass chamber for recycling therethrough back to the suction inlet of the compressor.

6. In the composite enclosure as claimed in claim 5 including muffler means in said inner inlet and by-pass 7 8 chamber for silencing air or gas passing therethrough. the blow off chamber,

the composlte enclosure as clalmed m clam and outlet means in said partition to pass blow off air including a partition in the upper section of the housing means forming,

a blow off chamber, 5 and by-pass chamber.

said by-pass means disposed to communicate with or gas from the blow off chamber to the inner inlet 

1. An inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure for a compressing system including, a compressor having a suction inlet and a discharge outlet comprising, housing means forming a chamber having sound absorbing means lining the chamber, said chamber having an inlet for air or gas to be compressed and an outlet connected to the suction inlet for the compressor, filter means in the chamber in communication with said inlet to filter air and gas to be compressed entering through said inlet to the chamber, and by-pass means connected to said housing and in communication with said chamber and connected to the discharge outlet of the compressor for passing compressed air or gas from the discharge of said compressor back through the chamber for recycling the same back to the inlet of said compressor.
 2. In an inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure as claimed in claim 1, including muffler means in said chamber to silence air passed thereto and through said chamber to the suction inlet of the compressor.
 3. In an inlet, filter and noise suppressor enclosure as claimed in claim 1 including, a muffler, said muffler having its inlet connected to the by-pass means and disposed to extend into and to pass by-passed compressed air or gas into the chamber.
 4. In an inlet, filter and noise suppressor as claimed in claim 3 when the muffler is an elongated member including, a relatively small inlet opening in communication with the compressed air or gas discharged through the by-pass means, a muffling chamber spaced from said inlet, transverse convoluted passage means disposed between the inlet and the muffling chamber, and outlet means for the muffling chamber to pass by-passed compressed air or gas to the chamber.
 5. A composite filter, noise suppressor and control enclosure for a compressing system including,a compressor having a suction inlet and a discharge outlet comprising, housing means having an upper section and a lower sectiOn disposed in spaced relation to each other to provide an instrument panel section therebetween, said upper section forming an inlet space having a partition dividing said inlet space into an outer inlet chamber and an inner inlet and by-pass chamber, said partition having an opening to provide communication between said outer inlet chamber and said inner inlet and by-pass chamber, filter means connected to said partition and disposed in said opening whereby air or gas delivered from any suitable source to said outer inlet chamber will be filtered as it passes to said inner inlet and by-pass chamber, said inner inlet and by-pass chamber having a discharge outlet communicating with the suction inlet of the compressor, sound absorbing means lining said inner inlet and by-pass chamber, and by-pass means connected between the discharge outlet of said compressor and the upper section of the housing means for communication with said inner inlet and by-pass chamber to by pass compressed air or gas from the discharge outlet of said compressor to said inner inlet and by-pass chamber for recycling therethrough back to the suction inlet of the compressor.
 6. In the composite enclosure as claimed in claim 5 including muffler means in said inner inlet and by-pass chamber for silencing air or gas passing therethrough.
 7. In the composite enclosure as claimed in claim 5 including a partition in the upper section of the housing means forming, a blow off chamber, said by-pass means disposed to communicate with the blow off chamber, and outlet means in said partition to pass blow off air or gas from the blow off chamber to the inner inlet and by-pass chamber. 